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  Batch processing method for patient managementUSPTO Application #: 20060020491Title: Batch processing method for patient management Abstract: A method for managing data from remotely located patients features batch processing. Patient files are batched in groups to increase workflow efficiency of a caregiver clinic. Scheduling of remote data transmission; accessing, reviewing and evaluating the data; and billing are carried out using a batch processing approach. (end of abstract) Agent: Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Luc R. Mongeon, Marta E. Jackson, Daniel T. Boulay USPTO Applicaton #: 20060020491 - Class: 705002000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Health Care Management (e.g., Record Management, Icda Billing) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060020491. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/589,252 filed on Jul. 20, 2004, for "Batch Processing Method for Patient Management" by L. Mongeon, M. Jackson, and D. Boulay. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0002] The aforementioned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/589,252 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention is a method for managing data from remotely located patients. In particular, the present invention is a method for managing data from remotely located patients being monitored by a medical device. [0004] In the past, patients monitored by medical devices, especially implantable medical devices (IMDs), were required to make regular in-office visits at a caregiver clinic. The medical devices were interrogated at each visit in order to obtain the data for the caregiver to review. [0005] With the advent of technologies such as the Medtronic CareLink.RTM. Network by Medtronic, Inc., caregivers are able to review medical device interrogations transmitted by remotely located patients. However, clinics have tried to manage data from remote patients similarly to patients evaluated during in-office visits. Current workflow processes usually manage one patient file at a time. Each step taken for managing the patient, from scheduling to billing, is usually done individually for each file in a sequential manner. In this type of scenario, logging on to a network system, accessing, and then reviewing the data is performed separately for every patient file, which does not maximize efficiency of the caregiver's time and resources, or take full advantage of the benefits possible with the new technology. Therefore, there is a need for a method of gaining workflow efficiencies in clinics that utilize technologies for remotely located patients. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention is a method of managing data from remotely located patients. Patient files are placed in groups, and data is received from the patients in the group during a specified time period. The data is reviewed and patient reports are created that prioritize the patients based on the amount of evaluation and response required by a caregiver. The caregiver subsequently evaluates the patient reports. Each step is carried out utilizing a batch processing approach. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a remote monitoring system. [0008] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a batch processing method. [0009] FIG. 3 is an example of a graphical user interface that may be used with the present invention. [0010] FIG. 4 is an example of a graphical representation of data accompanying a full report. DESCRIPTION [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a system by which patients interrogate an IMD and transmit the gathered data to a caregiver clinic. System 10 includes patient P with IMD 12, antenna 14, monitor 16, network server 18, and remote terminals 20 and 22. Antenna 14 is coupled to monitor 16, which is in communication with network server 18. Communication, as shown here, is through a standard phone line although other forms of communication of data may also be used. Network server 18, in turn, is in communication with remote terminals 20 and 22 through a network such as the Internet. [0012] In operation, patient P may be scheduled to transmit data, patient P may self-elect to transmit data, or the caregiver may have requested patient P to transmit the data, because patient P experienced a clinical event. Antenna 14 is placed near enough to IMD 12 that data stored in IMD 12 can be transmitted to antenna 14 and stored by monitor 16. Patient P initiates uploading of the data via monitor 16, which transmits the data to network server 18. Alternatively, uploading may be initiated automatically via a signal generated from an outside source. Remote terminals 20 and 22 are utilized by the caregiver to access the data for review. The present invention is based on managing data from patients that utilize this type of system. [0013] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of method 24 of the present invention. To begin, at step 26, patient files are placed into a group. The caregiver determines the number of patient files to be batched together into a group. The number of patient files per group varies depending on the time allotted for review and evaluation of the data and reports, but, in one embodiment, at least five patient files are batched in order to gain efficiency. The more time allotted for the process, the larger the number of patient files batched into the group. [0014] In one embodiment, patients are randomly grouped. There is no need to segment the patients in order to take advantage of the efficiencies that the method provides. The efficiencies will become apparent in the discussion below. [0015] At step 28, the caregiver schedules the group of patients to transmit data from their medical device during a specified time period. The specified time should be within about 48 hours prior to review and evaluation of the data. For example, the specified time may be within about 24 hours prior to review and evaluation. [0016] Next, the network server for storing data (e.g. network server 18 of FIG. 1) receives the data that is transmitted by each patient at step 30. Each patient should transmit during the specified time period scheduled for his or her batch or group. The length of the time period may vary and is chosen by the caregiver, however, it should be long enough to be accommodating for the patients. [0017] Patient initiation of data transmission may occur in any number of ways. One embodiment is described in reference to FIG. 1, which shows patient P utilizing antenna 14 and monitor 16 to transmit data. Here, monitor 16 is a stationary device that is typically kept at a patient's home. A patient may not have time to transmit prior to leaving for work and must carry out transmission after returning home. Conversely, another patient may work in the afternoon and evening and must transmit data in the morning. As shown by these examples, the window of time for transmission should accommodate these types of schedules. [0018] At step 32, the caregiver determines, at the end of the specified time period, whether data was received from all patients in the group. The Medtronic Paceart.RTM. System, for example, allows for automated detection of missed transmissions that were prescheduled. If not all patients have transmitted their data, at step 34, those patients may be prompted to transmit data during a given time period. Prompting may be done by phone, fax, or email or in any equivalent medium that allows for immediate communication with patients. Continue reading... Full patent description for Batch processing method for patient management Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Batch processing method for patient management patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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